The Interaction of Large Space Structures with the Near-Earth Environment

Abstract

The interaction between natural plasmas and satellites orbiting the planets is one aspects of the more general problem of the interaction between collisionless plasma flows and bodies in the solar system. Examples of body- plasma interactions relevant to the solar system are given. The detailed structures, that is, the detailed particle and field distributions in space and time around the bodies, are expected to differ for different types of interactions. However, the basic patterns could be similar since the basic physical processes acting in such interactions are probably similar. Planetary magnetospheres and shocks for example are to be seen as effects whose cause is the interaction between the body (planet's intrinsic and/or induced magnetic field) and plasma (solar wind).

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 25, 1983
Accession Number
ADP002115

Entities

People

  • U. Samir

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Electrons
  • Environment
  • Large Space Structures
  • Mach Number
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Physics
  • Planets
  • Plasma Oscillation
  • Plasmas (Physics)
  • Poisson Equation
  • Solar System
  • Solar Wind
  • Space Sciences
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Charging

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Solar Physics

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Orbital Debris